Traffic marker for pavements or the like



Aug. 16, 1938. Q OLDER 2,127,233

TRAFFIC MARKER FOR PAVEMENTS OR THE LIKE Filed June ll, 1954 PatentedAug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC MARKER, FOR PAVEMENTSOR THE LIKE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to trailic markers or the like and isparticularly concerned with devices adapted for the permanent marking oftraffic lanes, etc. on either asphaltic or concrete pavement.

The present device is a modication of the pavement joint protector ortrafc marker covered by my prior Patent No. 1,874,590, issued August 30,1932.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedtrafc marker which may be used for a long period of time without anynecessity for repair or replacement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a trafc marker ofthe class described which is adaptable for use at points where there areno joints in the pavement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved trafcmarker of the class described which may be forced down into the plasticconcrete during its construction or pressed into the asphaltic pavementat a time when the asphalt is in a suitable semi-plastic condition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a traffic marker ofthe class described which is provided with a metallic surface ofcontrasting appearance with respect to the surface of the pavement so asto denitely mark the trai-lic lanes and bring them to the attention ofthe drivers.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a traic marker ofthe class described which may be very economically manufactured onaccount of its simple structure and which may, therefore, compete withother relatively simple marking devices which, while lower in cost, arenot so permanent in their operating characteristics.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowingr description and from the accompanying drawing, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of one form of traffic marker well adapted tobe utilized in connection with an asphalt pavement;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through a fragment of thepavement and the 50 trafc marker, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 ofFig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, taken on the plane of the line 3-3of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

(Cl. E14-1.5)

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l of a modification in which theanchoring formations on the downwardly projecting parts of the trafficmarker extend diagonally away from each other, and this type of trafficmarker is also adapted to be utilized in connection wth concretepavements;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View of a fragment of pavement taken onthe plane of the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a` similar view taken on the plane of the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, I indicates a fragmentary section of concretepavement or the like, which in this particular case may be eitherconcrete or asphalt. The trame marker, indicated l in its entirety bythe numeral II, comprises a strip of metal, such as steel, which may bechromimurn plated, or stainless steel, or any other metal capable ofresisting corrosion. The strips may be made in any suitable width and ofap- 20 propriate length to mark pedestrian traflic lanes crosswise ofthe concrete road, or pedestrian trac lanes at the side of the road, orthe traffic lanes for motor vehicles longitudinally or transversely ofthe road. In the case of curves, the marker would be appropriatelycurved and manufactured in such form at the factory, according tospecifications.

While the strips might be made of any suitable Width, they wouldprobably be about six inches. in width, and the relatively bright metalsurface would provide a contrast between the marker and the surface ofthe asphalt or concrete so that the markers would be readily visible.The strip is preferably a fiat plate in the present case where there areno joints contemplated underneath the marker and where the marker doesnot perform the additional function of covering an expansion joint. Ateach of its edges it is provided with a downwardly turned flange I2, I3bent in an easy curve so that the edge extends downward into thepavement and there is no pos-- sibility of cutting tires. The strip isprovided with a multiplicity of punched out downwardly extending tabs orintegral pieces of metal I4, which are preferably formed with shouldersI5 or anchoring formations at the lower end.

In the present case the head I6, which provides the anchoring formationon the downwardly extending lug I4, is pointed like an arrow and maythus facilitate the entrance of the anchoring formations into theasphalt when the traffic marker is pressed into soft asphalt. The arrowshape also leaves an arrow shaped aperture I 'I, which is useful indirecting traiic along the direction of the traiiic marker wheredesirable.

This type of traflic strip may be installed in asphalt pavement bypressing the strip down in the proper position when the asphalt is in asuitable semi-plastic condition, as when it is heated in the summer, orwhen it has just been installed. The lugs I4 will readily penetrate intothe asphalt and may be embedded therein, but as soon as the bottom ofthe plate II hits the surface of the asphalt further movement of thelugs into the pavement will be arrested, but the asphalt will soon closebehind the shoulders I5 and anchor the plate in place.

Referring to Fig. 4, this is a modification in which a different type ofanchoring lug is employed. The anchoring lugs in this case are alsopunched out of the plate II, leaving the apertures I8. In this case theslit which forms the aperture I8 is longer at the side `|53 than theside 20, and the anchoring lug 2| bends downward along the line 22,which causes it to extend outward at an angle determined by the angle ofthe line 22. This particular type of anchoring lug is stronger thanother types where the lugs must be placed quite close together becausethe lugs may be directed laterally as well as downwardly and thussuitably spaced from each other.

Each of the lugs I8 is preferably provided with the inwardly extendinggrooves 23 on each side which give the end 24 of the lug the formationof a head, and the walls or sides of the grooves 23 provide the lug I8with shoulders which anchor the lug in the concrete. In this case thetraic marker II is pressed into the concrete, while the concrete isstill green, and the downwardly turned edges I2 and I3 are embedded inthe concrete, which is finished up to and ush with the top surface ofthe plate I I.

It will thus be observed that I have invented several forms of a traiiicmarker which is eX- tremely simple in its structure and capable ofeconomical manufacture. This marker maybe installed very easily and maybe cut off at the proper lengths on the job. It performs its function oftraic marking much betterthan the spaced traic nails or similar devicesof the prior art, and may be used for a long period of time without anypossibility of necessity for repair or replacement. The non-corrodingmetal is continually kept in a bright condition by the action of thetralc, and the marking ofthe lane is so denite and distinct that itcannot be mistaken.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a traine marker, a bright metallic strip having downwardly turnedcurved edges adapted to be embedded in the pavement, said strip having amultiplicity of punched out integral pieces, said pieces being bentdownward along a line extending diagonally with respect to the directionof the strip whereby said pieces extend downwardly and laterally, andanchoring formations provided on said pieces.

2. In a traflic marker, a bright metallic strip having downwardly turnedcurved edges adapted to be embedded in the pavement, said strip having amultiplicity of punched out integral pieces, said pieces being bentdownward along aline extending diagonally with respect to the directionof the strip whereby said pieces extend downwardly and laterally, andanchoring formations provided on said pieces formed by the provisionv ofinwardly extending grooves in the edges of said pieces.

3. A traffic marker comprising a flat strip of non-corrodible metalhaving an upper plane continuous surface and having both of its edgesdownwardly curved and adapted to be embedded in the pavement, said striphaving a plurality of integral lugs punched out of said strip anddirected downwardly, each of said lugs being provided with anchoringformations, said strip being elongated in the direction of trac in orderto provide a continuous marker of traflic lanes, and said lugs beingbent downward and extending diagonally outward with respect to the edgeof the traffic marker to spread the anchoring formations from each otherand improveV the strength of bond with the concrete.

CLIFFORD OLDER.

